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State-to-State Guide

Moving from Arizona to California

Compare cost of living, taxes, housing, and find the best moving companies for your Arizona to California move.

Quick Comparison

Leaving Arizona

Population7.2M
State Income Tax2.5%
Avg Home Price$410,000
Avg Rent$1,450/mo
Property Tax Rate0.62%
DESTINATION

Moving to California

Population39.5M
State Income Tax1%-13.3%
Avg Home Price$785,000
Avg Rent$2,200/mo
Property Tax Rate0.76%

Why Are People Moving from Arizona to California?

The migration corridor between Arizona and California is a popular interstate move. Thousands of households explore this route every year.

Cost of Living: The cost of living in California is higher than Arizona, but many movers find the tradeoffs worthwhile. Housing in California costs about $375,000 more on average, so budget accordingly.

Climate & Weather: Summers in California average 85°F, compared to 106°F in Arizona. Winters in California average 55°F, compared to 55°F in Arizona.

Jobs & Industry: California's key industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, which attract professionals from Arizona's Technology and Aerospace sectors.

Popular City-to-City Routes

370 mi
5.5h drive
Los Angeles, CA
Phoenix, AZ
via I-10 East
355 mi
5h drive
Phoenix, AZ
San Diego, CA
via I-8 West
798 mi
14.5h drive
Phoenix, AZ
San Jose, CA
via I-20 West
849 mi
15.4h drive
Phoenix, AZ
San Francisco, CA
via I-20 West
639 mi
11.6h drive
Phoenix, AZ
Fresno, CA
via I-20 West
825 mi
15h drive
Phoenix, AZ
Sacramento, CA
via I-5 North / I-40 West
543 mi
9.9h drive
Phoenix, AZ
Bakersfield, CA
via I-20 West
438 mi
8h drive
Phoenix, AZ
Anaheim, CA
via I-20 West
434 mi
7.9h drive
Phoenix, AZ
Santa Ana, CA
via I-20 West
459 mi
8.3h drive
Phoenix, AZ
Long Beach, CA
via I-20 West
571 mi
10.4h drive
Tucson, AZ
Los Angeles, CA
via I-20 West
471 mi
8.6h drive
Tucson, AZ
San Diego, CA
via I-20 West
926 mi
16.8h drive
Tucson, AZ
San Jose, CA
via I-20 West
978 mi
17.8h drive
Tucson, AZ
San Francisco, CA
via I-20 West
768 mi
14h drive
Tucson, AZ
Fresno, CA
via I-5 North / I-10 West
958 mi
17.4h drive
Tucson, AZ
Sacramento, CA
via I-5 North / I-10 West
664 mi
12.1h drive
Tucson, AZ
Bakersfield, CA
via I-20 West
542 mi
9.9h drive
Tucson, AZ
Anaheim, CA
via I-20 West
537 mi
9.8h drive
Tucson, AZ
Santa Ana, CA
via I-20 West
561 mi
10.2h drive
Tucson, AZ
Long Beach, CA
via I-20 West
482 mi
8.8h drive
Mesa, AZ
Los Angeles, CA
via I-20 West
406 mi
7.4h drive
Mesa, AZ
San Diego, CA
via I-20 West
816 mi
14.8h drive
Mesa, AZ
San Jose, CA
via I-20 West
866 mi
15.7h drive
Mesa, AZ
San Francisco, CA
via I-20 West
656 mi
11.9h drive
Mesa, AZ
Fresno, CA
via I-20 West
841 mi
15.3h drive
Mesa, AZ
Sacramento, CA
via I-5 North / I-40 West
561 mi
10.2h drive
Mesa, AZ
Bakersfield, CA
via I-20 West
456 mi
8.3h drive
Mesa, AZ
Anaheim, CA
via I-20 West
453 mi
8.2h drive
Mesa, AZ
Santa Ana, CA
via I-20 West
477 mi
8.7h drive
Mesa, AZ
Long Beach, CA
via I-20 West
474 mi
8.6h drive
Scottsdale, AZ
Los Angeles, CA
via I-20 West
400 mi
7.3h drive
Scottsdale, AZ
San Diego, CA
via I-20 West
806 mi
14.7h drive
Scottsdale, AZ
San Jose, CA
via I-20 West
856 mi
15.6h drive
Scottsdale, AZ
San Francisco, CA
via I-20 West
647 mi
11.8h drive
Scottsdale, AZ
Fresno, CA
via I-20 West
831 mi
15.1h drive
Scottsdale, AZ
Sacramento, CA
via I-5 North / I-40 West
552 mi
10h drive
Scottsdale, AZ
Bakersfield, CA
via I-20 West
449 mi
8.2h drive
Scottsdale, AZ
Anaheim, CA
via I-20 West
445 mi
8.1h drive
Scottsdale, AZ
Santa Ana, CA
via I-20 West
469 mi
8.5h drive
Scottsdale, AZ
Long Beach, CA
via I-20 West

Cities in Arizona

Phoenix

Population1.6M
Median Home Price$380,000

Tucson

Population543K
Median Home Price$290,000

Mesa

Population504K
Median Home Price$380,000

Scottsdale

Population241K
Median Home Price$700,000

Other Major Cities

Flagstaff

Cities in California

Los Angeles

Population4.0M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Diego

Population1.4M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Jose

Population1.0M
Median Home Price$1,200,000

San Francisco

Population874K
Median Home Price$1,400,000

Fresno

Population542K
Median Home Price$340,000

Sacramento

Population525K
Median Home Price$430,000

Bakersfield

Population403K
Median Home Price$340,000

Anaheim

Population350K
Median Home Price$750,000

Santa Ana

Population309K
Median Home Price$700,000

Long Beach

Population467K
Median Home Price$700,000

Estimated Moving Cost

Based on the average distance of 616 miles between Arizona and California:

Studio / 1 BR
$1,108
3–4 BR Home
$2,739

Estimates based on typical full-service interstate moves. Actual costs vary.

Arizona → California Transition Checklist

Driver's License

You must obtain a California driver's license within 10 days of establishing residency.

Vehicle Registration

Register your vehicle in California within 20 days.

Voter Registration

Update your voter registration to California after establishing residency. You can typically register at your local DMV or online.

Vehicle Inspection

California vehicle inspection requirement: Smog check required.

Things to Know About California

  • • Smog certification required for vehicle registration
  • • Proposition 13 limits property tax increases
  • • Lane splitting on motorcycles is legal

What's Different: Arizona vs California

Taxes

Arizona Income Tax:2.5%
California Income Tax:1%-13.3%
Arizona Property Tax:0.62%
California Property Tax:0.76%

Weather

Arizona Summer Avg:106°F
California Summer Avg:85°F
Arizona Winter Avg:55°F
California Winter Avg:55°F

Cost of Living

Arizona COL Index:103
California COL Index:150
Arizona Avg Home Price:$410,000
California Avg Home Price:$785,000
Arizona Avg Rent:$1,450/mo
California Avg Rent:$2,200/mo

Ready to make the move to California?

Get quotes from interstate carriers that regularly run routes between Arizona and California.